Shooting and Editing in Music Videos

Music Video Analysis 3

Conventions

For my third music video analysis I will be adapting it with the codes and conventions of a music video, narrative, Mise-en-Scene and so on. The music video that I will be using is Charlie Puth's 'We Don't Talk Anymore' featuring Selena Gomez. The technique that is used in this music video is what we call a 'Multi-screen' which generally shows more than one screen in order to show each member of a girl group or boy. But in this particular music video, the multi-screen shows two people's lives in different areas; if you watch the whole music video you can see that their actions are fairly similar. This helps the audience to identify that the man and the woman are both emotionally aware about each other's feelings and how they both want to be together again. The whole music video's style is definitely narrative, it tells us a story about a man and a woman in their daily life wanting to communicate since they both find it difficult to move on. The song emphasizes in each scenes where the man and the woman are doing their routine- "We Don't Talk Anymore" the music video shows us how they find it difficult to communicate again without finding it awkward.

The first convention that I will be talking about is the camera shots that is used throughout the music video. In the first part of the video, we can already see a EWS (Extreme wide shot) whereby buildings and the city is shown. This gives the viewers an idea of where the music video is filmed and set. This shot is often known as an establishing shot. 

Seconds later to the music video, the shot changes and it uses a wide shot. A wide shot is used to show the entire room, area and the person. We can clearly see the two characters both lying in bed, in the same screen. This will able let the viewer to interact and to question why they are not both in the same place. 

Medium close up lies between a Mid shot and a Close up. A medium close up shot was used when the shot changes to the male and female laying in bed in a similar perspective. This shows the character's expressions and their emotions through the camera. This makes the viewer feel sympathy for the characters. 

The shot changes and a very Close up shot is used in the sequence. We can see both of the character's faces up close to show as if they are both reflection each others emotions and feelings. There is also a close up shot of both of the character's texts. This helps the audience to see their blunt conversation and as you watch the music video, you see that they both delete their texts to each other. 

Here we have another Medium Close Up shot but it is filmed from the characters' back. This indicates a visual image of the characters' perspective and to visualize the location of where they are during that scene. A camera movement is used in the same scene; a dolly is used to show the characters walking forward.

This shot in particular is one of my favourite ones; this is because the way the angle is set gives the sunlight a great effect and this shows the weather of the setting. 

A jump cut is frequently used in this music video but one example is this screenshot which shows Charlie Puth drinking a cup of coffee in his screen whilst on the woman's screen we see her mobile phone with a caller ID which therefor shows that Charlie is making the effort to call his ex lover- but the ex lover decided to go against it and ignore the phone call. This enables the viewer to see the two character's perspective in one screen. 

In this screenshot we can already tell that it is a Two-shot. This is where the frame encompasses a view of two people which are the subjects. From what we can currently see, the characters in the scene are kissing, but the main characters are kissing different people rather than the two are kissing. This is telling the viewers a message that the male and female character have moved on. 

Lastly, a Bird's eye view shot is used where the two characters are both lying in bed as shown below. This shot gives a very powerful message and the way it is filmed gives effect. This angle is showing the subject from above and it is completely different and it can be from an unnatural point of view which can be used as a dramatic effect. The way Charlie Puth and the woman turned to their sides but facing the opposite direction tells us that even though they're both distant and isolated form each other, their presence are still felt. 

Mise-En-Scene 

Lighting- from looking at the screenshot, the left side of the frame shows low-key lighting whereas the one the right side is is showing a high-key lighting. The low-key lighting clearly represents the idea of loneliness; this enables for the viewer to have sympathy towards Charlie. Whereas the right frame is using a high-key lighting. The high-key lighting represents an upbeat mood and this makes the viewer feel happy towards the woman who is trying to learn to move on. 

Setting- from looking at the screen shot, the use of technique is very clever. The first screenshot shows Charlie Puth crossing the street but as he walks to the other frame he disappears and the woman appears as shown from the second screenshot. The setting that is clearly shown from the screenshots is that they are in different cities. But the use of having multiple screen makes us feel as if they are both in the same location. The setting also helps the viewers spot out that the characters are mid-upper class people in the music video. 

Props- the use of props in this music video are shown quite clearly. They are also very modern since the music video was set in our current generation. Examples of props that were shown such as mobile phones in order for the two characters to communicate. 

Hair & Make up - the screen shot shows the character's make up and hair. Observing this, we can clearly tell that the woman's make up is light and soft- this shows that she could just be an average woman. The left screen shows Charlie Puth with his average looking hair, he does not wear make up and prefers to show his natural face. This shows that he may be a star in Hollywood and the music industry but he prefers to show himself as middle class instead of an upper class where everyone sees celebrities as. 

Body language- from looking at the screenshot, their body language explores the feeling of 'loneliness' and 'devastation'. This is because, the characters are both experiencing a new feeling of not having in each others arms. 

Expressions- the screenshot conspicuously shows two of the characters smiling in glee as they are both in different parties- this tells us that no matter how much they have gone through so much and finding it difficult to move on, the two characters are still engaging their normal life in a fun way instead of being negative. It is showing a positive expression.  

The role of institution and audience

An institution is an organisation or company that produces or distributes media products within the industry. One way in which Charlie Puth's music video is distributed was by releasing it on Television. They released it on MTV channel in America. Digital distribution is the delivery of media content such as audio, video, software, and video games. Online distribution is mostly conventional during the 21st century due to technology growing vastly. Online distribution is generally used to describe distribution over an online medium such as the Internet, also bypasses physical distribution such as paper, compact discs and VHS videocassettes. Online distribution is typically applied to freestanding products; which is downloadable for other products that are commonly known as downloadable content. 

The way in which the music video was distributed was the use of Vevo on Youtube. This way, the music video will be able to reach out to different audiences in different countries; the music video will achieve global International viewers. Youtube is a popular video-sharing website- this is a benefit for audiences if they are wanting to view any music videos in general. 

The audience for a typical R&B and Pop genre are mostly under 12's and over 12's. This is because Charlie Puth, a Pop and R&B artist became really well known ever since "See You Again" feat Wiz Khalifa was released alongside with the movie Furious 7. The way the artist was promoted is very broad within the film and music industry; which means that his fans and audience would most likely be a range of children, young adults and adults in general. 

Laura Mulvey's theory

Laura M's Male Gaze Theory from nicole torroba on Vimeo.

Music Video Director

Star Image

So what is a star? A star are icons and celebrities that have been constructed by institutions for financial gain and to be able to target one specific audience/group of people. Richard Dyer believes that a star is not a real person so therefore it is an image; this is constructed out of a range of materials such as advertising, magazines, news paper, music videos and so on.

The star that I have chosen that I am familiar with and be putting in Richard Dyer's theory to the test is Troye Sivan. Troye Sivan is a South-African, Australian singer, song writer, actor and a Youtube sensation. On 15th of August 2014, Sivan released his first major-label EP  entitled 'TRXYE', which peaked at the top 5 charts in the US Billboard 200. And then on the 4th of September, Sivan releasedhis official first ever album entitled 'Blue Neighbourhood'. The term 'pop performer' and 'pop star' have become interchangeable. One of the many reasons why singers are described as pop stars is that they are quickly to be promoted to this status by their management.

 However, true pop stars do have a lasting significance and has 'brand awareness' amongst wider market over a period of time. Many so called pop stars populate the top forty currently have not made a sufficient sociological or cultural impact to be classified as true stars if we return  to Richard Dyer's theory. Two of the top stars, Taylor Swift and Adele, complemented his EP on social media where millions and millions of their fans would much rather see. Swift called his Wild EP 'STUNNING AND AWESOME' adding that 'YES CAPS LOCK IS NECESSARY HERE'. Later on, Adele went to the record twice in support of Sivan, saying that this low-quality live performance clip gave her chills and casually mentioned him by his first name in an interview.

Sivan's success has to do with his unabashed dedication to being himself- which, from the beginning of his time in the spotlight, has been engrained in almost everything he does.

Stars are constructed in artificial images, even if they are represented as real people experiencing real emotions and so on. It is beneficial if their image contains USP (unique selling point) in which where they can be copied and or parodied. Applying this to Troye Sivan, he made a first step into the music industry as huge and meaningful star from being a large, young online sensation. Sivan's audience and fans knew his quirks and habits and wanted to invest him. At first, he was particularly known as a "Youtuber" before going to a music career pathway which is what he has been wanting to do ever since he was a little boy. His record labels are EMI Australia and Capitol; he has associated with Broods, Betty Who, Tkay Maidza and Alessia Cara. Though he was known in the Youtube community, he started off as a child actor. In 2008, Sivan was cast as young James Howlett in X-men Origins: Wolverine. Sivan's music has been described as "layered electropop with constant tinges of EDM", as well as "youthful", "dreamy" and "mature". His baritone voice has been described as a "coffee-and-cream voice" as well as "sultry", "wounded" and "breathless". His work has been compared to well known stars such as Lorde and Taylor Swift.

Stars are manufactured by the music industry to serve purpose - which means that they make money out of audiences and responds to various elements of as star persona by buying records and becoming fans. However, there are markets out there who are not convinced by the hype and would not prefer spending their money on blandness. Pop stars are quite the product of their record company - and reluctantly they must be sold. But historically, the industry has provided us, as audience a range of commodities with different appeal. One way to achieve this is by introducing new stars of different types; playing constantly mutating genres of music- there is always something and someone fresh to choose from (this is important for younger fans).

A stay may only be significant or relevant for two years. Focusing too much on older audience means that younger fans cannot identify with stars whom they see as belonging to their parents' generation. But for Troye Sivan, ever since he started Youtube he has been targeting the younger generation and those younger generation would obviously grow old with Troye as they have been a fan of him since the beginning. Therefore, Sivan's style of music will be able to target different age groups as he has been very relevant ever since he released his official album. 

A star begins as a real human, possessing gender and race characteristics, and existing against a socio-historic background. The transformation turns them into a construct but the construct has a foundation in the real. Normally, stars provide audiences with a focus for ideas of 'what people are supposed to belike'. For example, women should look thin and beautiful. They support hegemony by conforming to it or providing difference.

Hegemony in the media encourages people to consent to status quo meaning power structure. Troye Sivan released a teaser for his new song, 'Heaven' where he talks about coming in terms with his sexuality. He is openly gay and has announced this news through Youtube in August 7th 201. He had truly inspired his fans; recently he helps a fan come out to her mum during his concert and it was all emotional. He describes his LGBT fan base as his 'absolute heros' so Troye was more than happy to help out one of his admirers during his latest concert. He assisted a fan in coming out to her mum who was also in the audience - and the crowd was overwhelmed. This then clearly shows how stars could possibly relate to their fans as well as helping them out as if they were just an ordinary person. Troye speaks on a montage of prominent LGBT equality moments saying "The hardest person for me to come out to was myself."

Reflection upon Year 12